Magistrates in Cross River State have threatened to
embark on an indefinite strike on Monday over alleged poor welfare and other
conditions of service.
This is contained in a press statement jointly signed
by Godwin Onah, Cross River chairperson of the Magistrates Association of
Nigeria, and Solomon Abuo, the secretary.
The News Agency of Nigeria obtained a copy of the
statement on Sunday.
The magistrates said they would not cancel the strike
until the Cross Rivers State Government meets their demands.
The magistrates, who earlier embarked on a three-day warning strike to press
home their demands, warned that they would begin an indefinite strike if the
government failed to meet their demands.
They said the government has failed to implement their
promotions and cater to their overall welfare.
According to the statement dated 8 December, following
the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on
an indefinite strike starting on Monday, 9 December.
“Sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River
State dated 11th November 2024, where the notice of strike was extended to
Friday 22nd November 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our
demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.
“In line, therefore, with our congress resolution to
proceed on a three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter
of the Magistrates.
“This action, in the first instance, will be effective
from 6 a.m. of Wednesday, 27th November 2024, to Friday, 29th November 2024.
“If the state government fail to meet our demands, an
indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are met.”
Before the warning strike, the magistrates issued a
seven-day ultimatum in November to the Cross River State Government to promote
its members, who have remained stagnant since 2015.
The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as
monthly imprest to magistrates in the state compared to magistrates in
neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000.
While also demanding the rehabilitation of magistrate
courts across the state, the magistrates condemned the government for not
providing them with official vehicles.
They demanded immediate implementation of promotion
and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial
benefits across all cadres and implementation of all accrued arrears.
(NAN)
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